Author's Note: Surprise! A mid-week update to perk up morale in this crazy world. Drop me a review and let me know what you think. See you Saturday.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will.
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xXx
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Date Posted: 4/28/2020
Trigger Warnings: Lots and Lots of Language. Violence discussed, but not too graphicly described. Mentions of murder. Steamy make-out scene.
The Next Phase - Chapter 36: Tuna Melts and Milk Shakes
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Monday, April 4:
Very Early Morning, Kasanoda Compound:
"Young Lord, wake up!"
My eyes flew open to find Tetsuya shaking my shoulder. I growled, "You just pulled me out of an extremely good dream about Bu. This better be worth it."
"The men responsible for running Haruhi-sama off the road have been found and are in our custody."
Took me a second to process that, but when I did, I jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. "Get my car ready, and some of the toughest, cruelest fellas we've got."
"Yes, Young Lord."
Getting showered, shaved, and dressed in the blackest leather I owned, only took a few minutes. We're in the car headed for our detention center. This place is for heavy hitters. Underground, behind a metal shop. Never shit where you eat. A distant relation owns the shop. He's got a completely clean record without any yakuza associations.
"Is Pops coming?"
"No. He said this was your project."
"Alright." I took a deep breath and looked around at some of the ugliest, meanest, hardest yakuza we had. Those assholes won't know what hit them. "Here's the plan. These fuckers ran my friend, her father, her father's boyfriend, and her security guard off the road. My friend, Haruhi, was the only one who survived."
Their expressions said it all. Darkened, narrow eyes, clenched fists, and steam coming out of their ears. Some of them know Haruhi, but all of them have heard of her.
"Who gave them their orders? How did they get them? Are there anymore? Is there anyone else out there?" I smirked, "Those are the answers we need, and I don't care how we get them, as long as they aren't dead until we have them all."
"Yes, Young Lord," they all called out.
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I know those two morons I hired are the reason all three of us are sitting here, tied to chairs, guns pointed at our heads. If they don't want to die, they better keep their fucking mouths shut. I'm the only one who knows who we're working for. As far as those morons know, I'm the boss.
"Oh, fuck," I heard one of them mumble under their breath. I had to agree. Kasanoda Ritsu walked into the room followed by some of his soldiers. Until he came in, I wasn't sure who had us.
It took absolutely no time for him to size us up and decide I'm the head of this truly fucked trio. He pulled a knife and threw it at me. I knew I was dead until I heard it thunk into the floor next to my foot. "Fuck," I said under my breath.
He walked up, pulled the knife from the floor, and said, "So we understand each other, you ran a friend of mine off the road. You killed her father, her father's friend, and her bodyguard. She was injured and spent weeks in the hospital." He used the knife to flick the hat off my head. "No one does that to my friends."
Oh, yeah. We're fucked.
Unfortunately, for Kasanoda, we're more fucked if we talk.
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That older dickhead is obviously in charge of this group. I'm betting the other two don't know much, but we'll see. I pointed my knife at the youngest and said, "That one."
Two of the fellas dragged his chair into the next room. The unknown can be worse than seeing what could happen. Doing it this way had the added bonus of messing with the other two's heads. Fuckers.
Once in the next room, I started asking questions. "Who do you work for?"
Silence.
"Who's your target?"
Silence.
"How many more of you are there?
Silence.
"Where do you get your orders."
Silence.
I spun on my heel and walked to the door. "We gave him a chance. Soften him up, Fellas."
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As Kasanoda opened the door, I heard my friend getting beat up. Great. Just fucking great. I should have never signed up for this. What the fuck was I thinking? My brother was right, and I hate it when he's right.
He pointed his knife at me, and it took all my willpower to not wet myself.
"You. Know anything?"
I knew the boss was looking at me. He knew my family. Shit. I stared back at Kasanoda and kept quiet.
"Take him in that room," he pointed. That's not where my friend is. Shit. "Soften him up. I just gave him his first chance."
This huge, ugly guy grabbed the back of my chair and dragged me from the room. I don't want to know what 'softening up' means, but I guess I'm going to find out.
"Alright, asshole, feel free to scream. No one can hear you."
And I screamed.
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"Well, now that the children are gone, you and I are going to have a chat," I said, pulling a chair up in front of the obvious boss. "They probably won't say anything, but my fellas will get some practice in. The more they know about anatomy, the better."
I fixed him with a feral grin and sat there. I can sit here all day if it will work. The silence can make a man crazy.
After an hour of listening to the others scream and watching me stare at him, I needed to rethink my approach. He doesn't give a shit about the others and has something big over them. Probably family. Fucker.
"Who do you work for, 'cause I know you aren't the boss. No way."
His eyes flashed. That got him. "Nope. Definitely not the boss."
"Neither are you." The first words out of his mouth so far.
If he thinks that's going to work, he's way dumber than he looks.
"The difference is, Pops gave me this little project. He doesn't care how long or what it takes. I'm on my own and in complete control." I leaned forward in my chair, still playing with my knife, and continued, "If I want you dead, you're dead. If I want your fingers dangling from a chain around my neck as a trophy, I've got them. If I want you skinned alive, all I have to do is give the order. In short," I lowered my voice and scowled, "you, and your two stooges, are completely fucked."
I left the building to let him stew in his own juices. Tetsuya followed me outside and tossed me a beer.
"This is going to take all night."
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"Stop!" I yelled as I spat out blood and a tooth. I have no idea what the other two are going through, but this is terrible. I heard ribs crack at least three times. That's the second tooth I've lost.
"You going to talk now, asshole?"
I nodded. Maybe I could buy some time.
"Get the Young Lord. Tell him the first one might be soft enough."
I couple minutes later, Kasanoda walks in, finishing a bottle of beer. My eyes teared up more as he broke the bottle and walked toward me with the jagged top.
"Who do you work for?"
"That asshole out there," I jerked my head to the door and instantly realized my mistake. I groaned loudly in pain, and Kasanoda smiled.
"Who's your target?"
"I don't know. Some girl."
"How many more of you are there?
Silence. I have no idea if there are more or not.
"Where do you get your orders."
"From the boss in the first room."
He handed the broken bottle off, turned to the door, and called over his shoulder, "Not soft enough. Start using the tools."
"Tools?" I mumbled in horror.
The two guys started laughing.
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"That one," I said, jerking my thumb back at the room I just left, "says you're the boss, but we both know that's not true. You might be his boss, but you're not the boss."
He just sat there. "This is getting boring. Should we try some pain?"
Again, he just sat there we a fucking shiteating grin on his face.
"Guess I'll take my first finger then," and I cut off his right index. "Next one is the thumb." I was impressed. He just gasped and breathed heavy.
"Anything?" I asked. Got a smirk back.
"Well, if that idiot," I jerked my thumb to the first guy we took, "told me some stuff, I'm sure the other one will. He almost pissed himself."
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The Young Lord walked in and stopped up short. Then broke into laughter.
"Oh, he looks ready."
"Yes, Boss."
And he was. Only had to hit him a couple times before he was screaming. He pissed himself and was crying by the time the Young Lord came in.
I waited for him to run over this guy like a truck, but he surprised me. In a gentle, but firm, voice he started asking questions.
"What does he have over you?"
"Who?"
"Your boss," he indicated the door with his head. "What's he got that's keeping you quiet. You know you're not going to last much longer, right?"
I watched in disgust as our prisoner broke down in tears again. He's playing at being a punk. He'd never make it as a yakuza. Disgraceful.
"Why do you care?"
"I don't," the Young Lord answered, and the guy's face went white. "I only care about my friend and finding out if she's still in danger." He pointed at him with his knife. "What can you tell me about that?"
"My family."
"What?"
"My wife and baby. He knows about them. I just needed some money after I lost my job. My wife has no idea."
Playing at being a punk. Idiot.
There are many ways to get information. Pain is only one of them. Sometimes a carrot is needed.
"If I can protect your family, get them to another part of Japan, will you tell me everything you know?"
"Yes!" he practically bowed to the floor. If he wasn't tied to a chair, he'd be on his knees begging.
"You have my word they'll be safe. Now talk."
The tears, the snot, and the words started flowing.
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I promised this moron his wife and kid would be safe. Doesn't mean he will.
I listened to his babbling while sorting through it for information I could use.
Haruhi was the target. This fucker wasn't the driver, the other moron was. They were hired and got all their information from the boss in the other room.
They knew she survived the crash and were waiting for orders to try again. The three of them had been keeping tabs on her, but not following. That's why the Morinozuka security team didn't pick them up. There's no way these three idiots would have been subtle enough to not get caught.
He told me where the car was, and I sent some fellas and a tow-truck. I wanted it here. We'll be able to confirm it through paint scrapings and might find some forensics to lead us to the big boss – Ootori Yoshio.
"That better be all, or your wife and kid are forfeit." Not really. In the Kasanoda Syndicate, families are off limits.
"That's it. I swear," he cried.
"Get his family's information and send someone over there to watch their place," I ordered and left the room.
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"Young Lord," Tetsuya said, "you need to get home if you're going to school today."
I looked down at my clothes and sighed, "Yeah, I need a shower. Hope they can get all this blood out of my leather."
"Give it to the head laundress. She can work miracles."
On the ride back to the compound, I reviewed what we'd learned so far. The driver was done, and it felt good. Did it with my own bare hands. No one will ever find the body once we got rid of it. We moved the boss into that room to sit with that mess for a while. It might soften him up or not, but at least he got to see what was ahead of him. I'd squeezed the other as hard as I could, but only got crumbs. I'll talk to Tetsuya and Pops about his family. I don't have a speck of mercy right now and need to leave that for later.
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xXx
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Host Club:
Host club's cancelled this week, except for Wednesday, for finals. We all decided to hang out in the room and use the time to study.
I got an update from Tetsuya before I got to Music Room #3. When I walked in, I asked Mori-senpai if we could talk in the soundproof room. Once inside, I said, "We caught the bastards that ran her off the road."
I watched one of the strongest men I knew drop into a chair and cover his face with his hands. The relief was pouring off him in waves. "And?" he mumbled through his fingers.
"There were three. One boss and two idiots he hired." I gave him all the information I had so far, but not how I got it.
"Where are they?"
"You don't need to know that, Senpai."
"We need to know if there are more orders. If she's still in danger."
"I'm aware, but you don't want your hands dirty. Trust me. It's best if you don't know anything more than what I tell you."
"Hn."
I pulled a bottle of water out of the minifridge and handed it to him. "Look, Senpai, as much as this disgusts me, we need to talk to Ootori." I sat down across from him. "He needs to know and might have information that will make them talk."
He downed half the bottle and frowned, "You're right. Tonight?"
"Let's wait until tomorrow after classes. Those fuckers can stew for twenty-four more hours, and we can catch him at his office."
"He'll be on campus tomorrow."
"What? Here? At Ouran?" I just about lost it. "What the hell, Senpai!?"
"Our security heard from his. He must come to class to take his finals."
"Fuck," I breathed out. "Does Haruhi know?"
He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "I told her this morning." He looked defeated.
"You know, you can't protect her from everything. We're all here, she's got security, and Haruhi's a strong girl. She's not spun glass."
He stood and paced the room. I don't remember ever seeing him this agitated. "Whether she needs me or not, I want to be there for her. She means so much to me."
"I know, Senpai," I said as I walked up to him and put my hand on his shoulder, "but you don't want to protect her so much she resents it."
That thought spun in his head for a few minutes before he grunted, "Hn."
"We'll catch him at his office tomorrow." I walked to the door and said, "Come on, Senpai. We need to get out there before everyone wonders what's wrong."
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I finished outlining my last history chapter, leaned back, and looked around the room. Fuyumi-san suggested I hold off announcing the marriage and my new living arrangements until the sale of my father's company was finalized this week, which made complete sense. The last thing I want is for the sale to go wrong and end up back at my father's house.
She's a wonderful person and her son, Sota, is so cute and fun. We played with his Legos yesterday, and he was so proud to tell me his Uncle Kyoya bought them for him. I should get him another set as a thank-you gift.
I asked Fuyumi-san if I could change my classes for my third-year. If she thought Akito-kun would mind. After telling her I'd picked them because I wasn't sure what my future husband would want me to study, she agreed that Akito-kun would insist I took the classes I wish to. I dropped biochemistry and calculus and picked up American literature and creative writing. A heavy course load, but I'm interested in all my classes this time.
"Yuki? You OK?" Naoko asked.
"I'm fine. Thanks."
"You seem tense."
"It this history final tomorrow. I hope I'm ready."
"You'll do great. Stop worrying."
"Yeah, Yuki-san. You don't need to worry. You're not going to fail your geometry final like I am on Thursday. Fucking stupid math."
Haruhi smiled and said, "Stop worrying, Shinobu. This answer is correct." She's been checking over a problem set for her.
"Really? No shit?"
"Really."
"Thanks, Haruhi. You're the best."
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Ritsu seems off today. I know he's been studying, but he's exhausted and the final we had today wasn't that bad. How hard is it to fuck up Japanese History? Especially, when it's his favorite subject.
"What's wrong," he whispered in my ear.
"I was going to ask you that."
He blushed a bright red and looked away. Now I know something's wrong.
"Hey. Tell me, Asshole."
"Call your car off. I'll give you a ride home and tell you. I can't do it here."
"Fine, but you better not hold anything back."
"From you? Never. I don't have a death wish."
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"I've got some things to do at home," I said, standing up and texting Fuyumi's driver to pick me up.
"I'll walk with you," Naoko said.
"No, thanks. I'm fine."
"It's OK. I have to leave too."
How do I keep her from finding out I'm being picked up in a different car, with a different security team, and going to a different estate?
Naoko's my best friend. Maybe telling her won't mess anything up. I can swear her to secrecy and I really need someone to talk to about all this.
"That's not your car."
I stopped walking and said, "No. It's not."
"That's not your phone either. I just noticed." She put her hands on her hips and demanded, "Yuki, what's going on. Is something wrong?"
"Can we sit at the fountain?" I sighed.
"Sure."
We told our drivers to wait, and she all but dragged me to the fountain. "Tell me. I'm worried about you. You've been acting weird all day."
"Promise you won't tell anyone." When she hesitated, I begged, "Promise."
"If you aren't mixed up in something terrible and aren't in danger, I promise."
And I told her. Everything. I told her about my father's request and Kyoya-senpai's response. About meeting Akito-kun, having a choice about getting married. Moving in with Fuyumi-san. How she's treating me. That I can study what I want and already changed my classes for next year.
She was quiet for a long time, just studying my face. I knew I completely threw her.
"Wow."
"I know."
"Sounds too good to be true."
I felt my face fall, and my eyes looked down at my hands in my lap. She'd said what I'd feared.
"Hey," she said, reaching out to lift my chin, "I'm sure it's real. It's great news. Wonderful news. With finals coming and then the time getting to know Akito-san, you have time to figure all this out. You didn't have any time before."
My smile came back. "You're right."
"The sale is happening this week?"
"Akito-kun said by Wednesday."
"Alright. I'll keep quiet, and we'll both focus on our finals."
"Thanks," I hugged her tight. I knew I'd feel better after talking to her.
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xXx
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Kasanoda's Car:
"Fuckers. They deserve everything you do to them and more."
"Yep."
"You think the boss will crack? Lead you to Ootori?"
"Don't worry. I'll crack him." I looked at her and held back a groan. Her breath was shallow, face flushed, and her eyes huge. Is it wrong to be so turned on by her now? Fuck.
I couldn't help the next thing that popped out of my mouth. "Wanna help?"
Her face closed down, eyes narrowing, and she growled, "No." I tried hard not to fidget under her glare. "This isn't a date. It's work. Kasanoda syndicate work. That's on you. Just like Himura syndicate work is on me."
Oh, I get it.
"If we're going to make this work, we have to keep it separate. That's the point of the contract and the merger with our kid. You're in charge there, and I'm in charge of mine. We can't confuse anyone with conflicting orders or the appearance of consulting. We have to be the big bosses, or none of this will work."
"OK. OK," I said, throwing up my hands. "I'm with you. I wasn't thinking."
"Obviously."
"Hey!"
"Kidding, Asshole. We both gotta get used to the idea, especially now when we're getting many new responsibilities of our own."
"Yeah." I smirked and grabbed her hips. "I know something we can do together."
"Really?" she said, arching her eyebrow.
I pushed her back onto the seat and smashed my lips to hers. Her hands were instantly up the back of my shirt, and I was working on her buttons. I'd seen that red bra showing through her white shirt all through the study session. It was making me fucking crazy.
When I moved to her neck, she was panting and moaning. "Yes, Ritsu. Right there. Don't stop."
Don't stop? Does she think I'm an idiot?
My right hand slid under her back and worked on the clasp while my left started feeling around on the armrest above her head.
"Where the fuck is the switch," I was mumbling when I flicked it. Shit.
"Tetsuya," I croaked out. "Drive around until I tell you to head for her compound." I flicked it off before I heard his response.
"You sure," she panted, digging her nails into my back as I hissed, "that's a good idea?" She wrapped her legs around me and squeezed.
"Shit." I can't think. Her thighs are so tight. What did she ask me? Oh yeah. "I'll stop when you tell me to."
"I'm not sure I can." Then her lips were on mine again. So soft. Demanding but slow. Enveloping each of mine and sucking. Can I stop?
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When the Young Lord switched the speaker off, the driver and I shared a smirk. "You think that's wise," he asked.
"The Lord had me get him some condoms. They aren't stupid."
"They're young."
"They're getting married in a year."
"Still young."
"Alright, then you go back there and stop them."
His face drained of all color, and he smacked his forehead. "No way in fucking hell. They're both armed!"
"Then drive," I said, turning the music up. The back isn't completely soundproof. Not in this car.
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My shirt and bra are on the other seat, and his lips are everywhere. That tongue. Rough on my skin, and he knows how to use it. His hips grind and mine jerk in response.
"Oh, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhit," I scream quietly. He's learned how to play me. I can't make myself feel this good, and my pants are still on.
"Damn, Bu. You're so hot. You've got a body that won't quit." He sucked hard and I smacked the side of his head.
"Shit, Ritsu. No marks. I've gotta wear a dress on Friday."
"What about here?" he asked as he licked the side of my boob.
"No, not there."
He moved to the underside, "Here?"
"No."
"Shit, Bu," he said raising up and looking into my eyes. "What the hell kind of dress are you wearing?"
"You'll see," I smirked. "Keep going, but no marks."
"Fine, but you owe me." His lips found mine again, and his hands took over on my chest.
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What the hell kind of dress is she wearing on Friday?
I shook myself out of it and payed attention to what I was doing. And what I was doing was working for her. Her hips were wiggling and her back arching.
My hands were stroking down the smooth skin on her back, almost to the top of her pants.
"Young Lord, we've been driving around for an hour," we heard through the speaker.
"I'm going to kill him," I groaned as my fingers slipped below her waistband.
Bu's hands pulled my face away from her neck, "Shit, Ritsu, he's right." She leaned forward and kissed me. "We either stop or go for it, but it's time to stop. You know it and I know it."
"Shit." I leaned back, pulling her with me. "At least let me dress you."
"If I can return the favor…slowly."
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xXx
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Tuesday, April 5:
Ouran Dining Hall:
"Last Tuesday of the year. Here's my donation, Chika." I handed him an envelope.
"Thanks, Haruhi-senpai."
"Kaoru. Hikaru," one of their designees called, walking up to the table. "My new uniform was delivered yesterday. Can't wait to wear it next year."
"Did you hear that, Kaoru?" Hikaru said, putting his arm around his twin. "They love your design."
"But, Hikaru, you designed it too," he said back, caressing both of Hikaru's cheeks with his hands.
"MOE!"
There are many things I'll miss about the host club, but the 'brotherly love' mess is not one of them. I don't get it and never will.
Then I realized I don't have the uniform yet. "Nuts."
"What's wrong Haruhi?" Cho-senpai asked.
I shook my head and said, "I don't have mine yet. It's not too late, is it?"
"Don't worry. Mother ordered yours when she ordered a new one for me. I've almost outgrown this one again."
That's a relief. I'll have to thank Umeko-san when I get back. "Good. I hope she got the pants."
"I'm sure she did."
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"Chika," a couple girls called as they walked up to me, "here are the donations from our table."
"Thank you, princesses."
"What's 'Hands on Tokyo'?"
"They sponsor the 'LIVES Food Truck'. It's run by special needs individuals and overseen by students. They want as many young people as possible to understand those with special needs." I sighed, thinking that this wasn't the best audience for this. "Companies don't hire those that don't fit a traditional profile. Their hope is as the young people they work with grow and enter the workforce they'll remember those with special needs when they are hiring."
"What ages supervise?"
"High school and college."
I saw Haruhi-senpai's eyes brighten. This was her suggestion and I warned her that it might be lost in the rush of finals, but that was a hopeful question.
"Interesting."
A few more groups dropped off their donations. Because the club is closed today, I got more than usual, and I'm expecting at least double the number in the drop off box.
Several girls asked if we're continuing this next year. I told them yes and asked for suggestions.
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xXx
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Ootori CEO Public Office:
I'd made it past security and was waiting when I saw Kasanoda and Chika walk in. Chika?
"Mori-senpai, I have a tag-a-long."
"I see," I growled, staring at Chika. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to see him and heard you two talking about coming here today, so I came with Kasanoda-senpai."
I raised my eyebrow in question, and Kasanoda replied, "What was I going to do? Say no and watch him kick my entire security team's ass?"
When he puts it that way... "Maybe your team couldn't stop him, but I can." I crossed my arms and stared down at him.
Chika held up his hands and argued, "Calm down, Takashi. I need to talk to him. It's for Haruhi-senpai. What's so secret I can't hear it? You can trust me."
I looked over Chika's head to Kasanoda. He shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
"Fine, but you are not to breathe a word of what we say in his office. Do I have your word?"
"You do," he bowed. Chika holds respect and honor dear and will keep this to himself. He's the only other person in our group I'd trust.
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"Ootori-sama, there's a Haninozuka-sama, Morinozuka-sama, and Kasanoda-sama here to see you. They don't have an appointment."
I assume it's Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai and not their fathers, since they came with Kasanoda. Odd that they didn't call first to make sure I'm here.
"Send them in."
I was half right. No Honey-senpai. Chika instead.
I stood, shook their hands, and offered them tea.
Kasanoda seemed to be in charge of this meeting, as he started talking first. "No time for pleasantries, Ootori." I heard my assistant gasp at the informal address. "We need a private conversation now."
"Close the door on your way out and station security at the door. No one is to come in until this meeting is over."
"Yes, Ootori-sama."
Once we were alone, I waived them to chairs and I sat down. "What's this about?"
"We have the three that ran her off the road," Kasanoda said.
"Well, fuck."
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'Ran her off the road.' Who? Haruhi-senpai? What?
"Find out anything?"
Kasanoda-senpai detailed the capture of three men and the information gleaned so far. I think he wanted to say 'extracted'. What are we involved in?
"So, nothing up the chain?"
"No. I'm still hopeful the fellas will get him to talk, but we want to be prepared."
Ootori leaned back in his chair and touched his chin with his finger. "I don't believe any of my resources would be more useful than yours. I assume you've been thorough?"
"Yes."
"I don't need to tell you how much we need that information and quick."
"No, you don't."
Ootori and Kasanoda-senpai were talking in the worst code I'd ever had to deal with. So, Kasanoda-senpai's torturing people to find out if there's still a danger to Haruhi-senpai.
"How is it that none of us know any of this?" I asked. "If Haruhi-senpai is still in danger, those around her need to know."
Takashi turned to me and hissed, "Security knows. Be quiet."
"But…"
I felt Kasanoda-senpai's hand on my shoulder as a warning. "She's covered. Think about what would happen if Tamaki-senpai or the twins knew this. That's why we're keeping it quiet."
Oh. Those idiots. Of course.
"Unless you'd like some Black Onion Squad officers to help, I'll wait on word from you. Let me know if you find out anything. I'll take whatever action you need."
"As I told Mori-senpai, the less you know the better. Let the professionals get dirty. We know how to clean it up."
Ootori nodded and stood, but I spoke up, "I have an unrelated question."
He sat back down. "Yes, Chika."
"Do you own any stock in Petto Chinmi?"
"Well, that is unrelated." He folded his hands on his desk. "Why?"
"Haruhi-senpai wants to take it private, and we're having trouble finding the last of the stock."
He stared at me for at least two minutes, and I stared right back. Is he surprised about her decision or the fact that I asked?
"I own six percent through a private company. I'll send her the paperwork so she can buy them back."
"Thank you, Senpai," I bowed my head. I'll show him some respect for making that easy.
"Here's the donation for today. I was going to drop it in the box tomorrow."
I took the envelope and we left the office.
Takashi will tell me everything on the way home or I might have to kick his ass for the first time.
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xXx
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Public Library:
"You won't believe this," Gorou-senpai said, waiving papers as I sat down, "I got the top grade on my English story!"
He held up his hand and I returned the high-five. "Congratulations! I'm happy for you."
"Couldn't have done it without you, Fujioka-san."
"Are you ready for the test tomorrow?"
"Hope so. You ready for your physics tomorrow?"
"Ready or not, I'm glad this is the end of it." Am I ever. I'm not taking a science next year but adding politics. Much more useful for a law career.
Eiji left the table to do a lap around the library. One of my younger guards sat with us, acting like he was studying too. I'm getting used to all this. I barely notice them anymore rather than worry about the attention they draw.
I'm becoming a rich bastard.
We spoke in English for the entire study session, slipping into Japanese only for technical physics terms. "I think you could make it on your own in America."
"You're kidding."
"Nope. Sure, you'd struggle, but they'd understand you. You're so much better."
After another few minutes of physics review, Gorou-senpai nudged my foot under the table. "Hey, those girls at the table behind you on your left are staring."
I smiled and rolled my eyes. "I'm sure they're jealous because I'm sitting here with you."
"Ha. Ha."
"Let them stare. Can you go over this equation again?"
.
I'd seen them staring before Gorou-sama pointed it out to her. So far, they're only sitting there and whispering, but we're monitoring them. My earpiece burst with noise when they stood up and walked over to our table. Eiji told me he was on his way.
"Fujioka Haruhi?"
She turned at the sound of her name. "Yes?" We both saw the magazines they were holding. Fans.
"We read the interview you gave. It was heartbreaking. I'm so sorry about your mother and father."
"Thank you," she responded. She looks lost as to what to say.
"Could we have your autograph?"
Haruhi-sama stared and remembered to close her mouth after a few seconds. "Sure, I guess." She took the magazine and asked, "Where do you want it?"
"Where the sticky note is. That's your article."
I saw Eiji smile as she signed her first autograph, and then her second and third.
"Thank you so much. Can you tell Hitachiin Kaoru we love the new line?"
"I will. Thank you."
"That was exciting," Gorou-sama said.
"I suppose." She looked back at her notes and asked, "Is this answer right?"
Eiji and I shared a smirk. Bookworm.
.
xXx
.
Wednesday, April 6:
Host Club:
I helped Tamaki-senpai and the twins load up all the girls into several stretch limos for the trip to the cosplay. Takashi, Satoshi, and Haruhi-senpai went ahead to make sure all the arrangements were ready.
"Chika, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise, Princess. We knew you all deserved a thrill for the last cosplay of the year." Or ever.
We drove through town and several girls commented on never being in these neighborhoods before. Of course, they haven't. That's the point. One last dose of commoner experience.
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up in front of the diner to see Satoshi and Haruhi-senpai standing out front in waiter's uniforms.
.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I got their attention by throwing my arms out wide. All our princesses were gathered at the diner's entrance. "For the last cosplay of the school year, the Ouran High School Host Club welcomes you to our Host Club Diner."
We'd bought out the entire diner for the next several hours and would be entertaining our ladies by playing their waiters. Of course, we still had the staff waiters. We need to sit with our princesses and entertain them.
"Please allow your host to escort you to their table." I turned to my princesses and said, "If you'll follow me…"
Once seated and reviewing the menu, several had questions.
"Tamaki-senpai, is this food edible?"
"What are these dishes? I've only heard of one of these."
"Is this where Haruhi eats?"
I smiled graciously, remembering similar thoughts of my own when I came the first time. "My dear princesses, all the dishes here are classic commoner dishes, most directly from America. The Hosts eat here quite often, so we know all about the food. Please ask about any dish."
They all spoke at once.
"What's a meatloaf?"
"Chicken and waffles? Who ever heard of such a thing?"
"Nachos?"
"Is the grilled fish good? It sounds the safest."
"What are onion rings?"
I answered each question, expounding on my own trials and tribulations in my ongoing quest to try everything on the menu. I seem to have scared some of them with my description of the tuna melt, the meatloaf sandwich, and the chili dog. I don't understand why.
.
Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai led us to a quiet corner of the dining area. It's a quaint little place with American actors, actresses, singers, and other celebrities in frames on the walls. However, I worry about being seen in such a setting. No tablecloths, paper napkins, and plastic menus? How odd.
"Ladies, please order from the menu. I'm going to get pancakes and pie." Usa-chan's head was sticking out of a backpack Honey-senpai was wearing. He had an order pad in his hand and was waiting for our selections. "If you haven't decided yet, maybe I could get your drink orders. Their milkshakes are so delicious. I always have at least three."
Most of us chose tea, as we thought it was the safe choice. I ordered a strawberry milkshake, just to try it.
Mori-senpai walked us through the menu, explaining some of the different dishes. He hadn't tried many, usually choosing the grilled fish.
"Mori-senpai, do you know what classes you're taking next year? I'll be at Todi majoring in business financing. We might have one or two together."
His cheeks blushed a light shade of pink, and he explained, "I'm taking next semester off to focus on my training. I must realize my goal of winning gold at the Olympics and classes distracting me will hinder that."
"Oh." I won't see him around campus during my first semester? I was looking forward to that. I suppose there's a silver lining. "That means you'll only be a semester ahead of me when you return. We could easily have classes together."
"Yes. We could."
How exciting. Now all I have to do is find out his classes for the next semester and register for them as well.
"Will you still be coming to the Host Club next year while you're training?" one of the other girls asked. "You're my favorite host!"
Honey-senpai and one of the real waiters interrupted his answer with our drinks.
"Do you lovely ladies know what you'd like for dinner?"
.
By the time we brought the food to our table, our designees had stopped commenting on the diner and were talking about what they were doing during break and their graduation presents.
"Are you and Hikaru going anywhere, Kaoru?"
"Maybe an overnight somewhere to unwind after finals, but I have a fashion show right before classes start. That's my primary focus."
"Ooo, is Haruhi modeling for you?"
"Are you kidding? She's too short for the runway," one of the girls commented.
"She's not very tall, but she's done the print ads, so why wouldn't she do the show?"
"Actually," I broke in, "she's not doing the show so other commoner models can have the opportunity, and yes, they are all taller." I winked at them, and they giggled. "She'll be there though, wearing one of my suits."
"I wish you all the success I can, Kaoru. You've worked so hard on it."
"So's Haruhi."
"I know. I saw her interview on TV Friday night."
"She did an interview? For what show?"
"That crazy Japan Entertainment Today show. It wasn't a full interview, just a teaser for an upcoming one in that fashion magazine."
"Oh, I saw that. She did well. Hearing about her mother and father was so sad, I teared up."
"I brought my copy with me. I was hoping you and Haruhi would sign it. Please Kaoru." She handed me the magazine, open to the interview.
"Sure", and I signed my name with flair.
.
"Thanks for helping with the food, Satoshi. Today sure is different here. Are these all your classmates?"
Hisa hadn't been here when I made the arrangements with the owner and manager, so she'd been surprised by our invasion. I explained about the Host Club and that this was our last cosplay for the year.
We're not announcing our closure until the ball on Friday, so I don't want to talk about it, even with Hisa. Naoko doesn't even know. She's going to kill me.
I finished up the story as we walked up to Chika's and my table. Our designees decided to be adventurous and ordered some strange things. Things only Tamaki-senpai had ordered before.
"Who had the tuna melt?"
"The grilled cheese and tomato soup?"
Hisa and I also handed out spaghetti and meatballs, loaded nachos, and a large plate of mixed appetizers which included onion rings, BBQ wings, deep fried mushrooms, and egg rolls. Definitely an odd mix.
Once I joined them, and everyone started eating, I was asked when I would be at Neon next.
"With the ball and graduation, it won't be this weekend. Probably Tuesday." I smiled around the table. Almost all of them had started coming. "I'll let everyone know via tweet."
I heard Chika snort in disapproval. He needs to chill out. I beat Taka last weekend, so I'm obviously not neglecting my training. He should come out with us. He needs a girlfriend.
.
My chicks decided to order a bunch of stuff and share it. None of them wanted to be stuck with a revolting dish and be left hungry. Most chose soda or cold tea, and one even got a chocolate milkshake. She heard Honey-senpai recommend them. Yuck. Too sweet for me.
I'd yet to find something here that I'd ordered more than once. Nothing was spicy enough. I joined them in the sharing, hoping to find a favorite.
"Are you ready for the ball, Kasanoda-senpai?"
"Yup. Hikaru designed my suit. I know you will all like it."
"What about Shinobu-senpai? Will she be there?"
This is the same chick that asked about her before. She actually wants my girlfriend at the ball. Wait. Girlfriend? Well, duh. We are a couple. Just sounds strange.
She's staring. Waiting for me to answer. "Ah…yeah, she'll be there. All of our…," I wasn't sure what to call them.
"Girlfriends?"
"Yeah. They'll all be there, but don't worry. The hosts will dance with everyone."
"Good," another one of them chimed in, "I want one last dance before I graduate."
"What are you doing during the break, Kasanoda?"
"I have a couple 'family business' projects to finish up," I mumbled, thinking about those assholes waiting for me. They've had enough time to stew. I'll give it another crack tonight. Just need to relieve the stress from that fucking geometry test tomorrow.
They were all smart enough to not ask about my projects.
"What are you all doing?"
"My parents are taking me to Paris. We're interviewing pastry chefs while we're there. In between shopping trips, of course."
"Of course," I said, keeping my eyeroll to myself. I'll never go shoe shopping again.
"I'm going to Los Angeles for that new romantic comedy premiere. It's a good excuse to work on my English."
"Oh, you'll have to tell me how it is. I want to see that movie."
"Sure."
They talked about shopping, a river cruise, weddings, engagement announcements, and other things that I couldn't care less about. I needed to know what Bu was up to for the break.
.
Hosting hours were wrapping up, and my designees were trying to keep me talking. Either they didn't want to leave or were enjoying the food. Probably both. The guys at my table were really the only ones that ate their meals. Might have something to do with being teenage boys. They'll eat anything.
"Where's your dog show over break?"
"Karuizawa. We're sponsoring the treat area and will have a booth."
"It's very different from my father's manufacturing business."
"We manufacture the dog food, treats, and supplements. What does your family manufacture?"
"Sailboats."
Of course, they're different. "Oh." Rich bastard. Maybe I should switch to elite bastard. I'll never be one of those.
"Haruhi, if you have any free time, let me know. I'd be glad to teach you some tennis."
"Thank you, but any free time I have will be put towards getting ready for that 5k that's being held in conjunction with the marathon."
"Oh, that's right. I signed up for that, but I'll be running the 5k."
I put on a host smile and said, "Say 'hi' as you lap me."
"Will do." He smiled at me, and I realized I'm going to miss him. He was decent to me, just like Osamu-san.
Just as Tamaki-senpai was calling an end to the day and shooing the girls to the limos, several of them came up to me and asked for my autograph on that magazine. Why on earth would these elite girls want my autograph? This line isn't even for them.
Whatever. I smiled and signed.
.
xXx
.
Haruhi's Room, Morinozuka Estate:
That was crazy. Seeing all those girls try that food. Some of their faces…I could barely contain my laughter. Why someone thought a tuna melt was a good idea, I'll never know. And signing all those autographs. What the hell? That better be the end of it.
Once the girls, and my guys, were on their way home, the girlfriends (as we've all been calling them, even if Keiko-senpai and Yuki aren't dating one of the guys) joined us and we studied and ate dinner. Or, the girls ate dinner.
The last cosplay of the year…ever. I'll miss dressing up and playing a part, but if I'm completely honest with myself, I haven't really enjoyed being a host since my gender reveal. As a boy hosting girls, I was treated with respect and kindness. We always talked about interesting things such as politics, business, and history. When everyone knew I was a girl and boys started designating me, that all changed. Overnight, I was an object to be flirted with, condescended to, and stared at. Not by all of them, of course, but just enough to sour the entire experience.
My appointment with Sayo-sensei on Monday was weird. She'd read the article, so I didn't have to tell her about all that background, but she did have several questions about the club itself. And my debt. I'm not ready to talk about Kyoya-senpai yet, so I changed the subject to Petto Chinmi. I could tell she wanted to but was relieved when she didn't press.
I'm laying here on the bed, wishing finals didn't exist, but they do, and I need to study some more. When I got up and unpacked my bookbag, I found an envelope on my desk. An Ootori Conglomeration envelope.
What's that doing here?
Why's the room hot? The air's so heavy. My legs were lead as I walked across the room.
I'd just picked up the phone to call Eiji when someone knocked on my door. I froze. There's no way it's Kyoya-senpai, but I froze. What is wrong with me?
"Haruhi-senpai?"
"Chika?"
"Yes."
I dropped the phone and opened the door so fast, he jumped back. We stared at each other for a minute before he noticed something.
"He sent it here?"
"What?"
"The packet from Ootori."
That's when I remembered I had an envelope in my hand. "You know what this is? Why I'm hearing from him?"
"Yes, but he should have sent it to your office."
Chika shifted his weight onto his other foot, and I looked around at the hallway. "Sorry, do you want to come in?"
"Thanks."
I sat on my sofa, and he took a chair. "So, what is this? Should I even open it?"
"I found out he owned the last six percent of your stock. That should be the forms needed to buy them from him."
"Oh." I turned the envelope over and over in my hands. I don't want to think about him.
Chika held out his hand, "Do you want me to open it?"
"Yes," I breathed out a huge sigh, "please." Why am I so nervous about opening an envelope? Took me a minute to connect the dots. Because the last time he handed me paperwork, it was that horrible marriage contract.
By this time, Chika had it open and was reading the cover letter. He looked up at me and said, "He's signed them over to you."
"OK," I hesitated. "So, how much?"
"Nothing. He says they're a gift."
.
xXx
.
Somewhere in Tokyo:
"We need to end this, Tetsuya. I have a geometry final to fail tomorrow."
"Yes, Young Lord." I heard the smirk in his voice.
One of the fellas opened the door as I strode through. Their 'boss' looked like hammered shit. We'd left him tied to the chair facing the body of the driver. It was not a pleasant sight. We also only gave him some drops of water and no food over the last couple days. The question is, did it work? Is he soft enough?
No holding back. This is for Ranka, Jarou, Matsui, and most of all for Haruhi. She'll always be my first love. Pops was right. It never would have worked, but I loved her. Still do, as a friend.
"Alright, Asshole. Wake-up," I roared, kicking him in the shin. Maybe I cracked it. Steel toe boots. I came over on my bike.
"You will answer my questions, or I'll take that thumb and leave you here for another two days. The process will repeat until all your fingers and toes are gone." I pointed to the body of the driver, "And he's not going to start smelling better either."
"Fuck you."
I pulled a chair over, facing the back towards him, and straddled it. "I don't think you get it, Dumbass. You're the one who's fucked." I pointed my knife at him. "Or are you too stupid to figure that out?"
"Do you know what they'll do to me if I talk?"
My huge belly laugh filled the room. "Didn't know you were a comedian, Dickhead. Tell us another."
When he did nothing but stare at me, I continued, "They won't do shit to you, because you're never leaving this room. Well, not until you're in that condition anyway." I pointed at the driver again.
"Think about it. Fast or slow. Your choice."
I left the room.
.
"My family?" They've been the only thing on my mind since this whole stupid thing started.
"They're guarded. They're fine." He sat down in front of me. "The big question is what do I do with you?"
"I've told you everything."
"You've told us a lot about a few things."
"I've told you everything I know. I don't care what you do to me as long as my family's safe."
Then the bastard laughed at me.
"Damn, did I miss the cameras?" he asked, looking around. "I know I didn't read the script."
What the fuck is he talking about.
"Did you get that line from a cheesy action movie or something?"
They were all laughing now. Fuckers. "I meant it."
"That's the sad part," he choked out between laughs. "I really think you do."
Now what?
They took their time before the laughs trailed off.
"What do you think we should do with you?"
"I hadn't hoped for anything other than a fast death."
"Again with the movie lines," he chuckled. "Seriously? I'm the only one who gets to use them, get it?"
"Let me go?"
"It's not that easy."
"Then what?"
"No idea."
He stood and walked out of the room.
.
I ended up having to cut his thumb off, but he stopped me before I left the room.
"I'll talk. Just make it fast."
"No problem. Talk."
He was hired by a middleman but figured out it was Ootori Yoshio giving the orders. Must not have had enough to hire someone with brains. He got his orders from the money. He'd decode them and follow directions.
He was supposed to kill Haruhi on her birthday. 'For maximum impact' he said. His orders were to keep going until she was dead, but her security increased after the first attempt and they were still trying to figure out how to do it.
He said he didn't have any future orders. Killing her was the last one. Hasn't seen any bills with new orders in several months.
"How'd you get paid?"
"Dead drop. Different each time."
"How the fuck would he know you would get the bills?"
"They'd start in one of four stores. I'd go there and get them as change."
"And you're sure killing her was your last order?"
"What else is there to do after she's dead?"
I sneered at him. "Oh, I can think of all kinds of things to do with you after you're dead. How about leaving your head on your mother's front porch or mailing her bits and pieces for months?"
His face turned green and got sweaty.
"He wanted her dead. We weren't told to do anything to the body."
"Anything else?"
"No."
"What about this middleman?"
He gave me a phone number, and I sent some fellas to track him down and bring him in. He didn't tell us anything new or anything we hadn't already figured out, except confirming Ootori Yoshio.
The fellas laid down plastic sheets, like they did for the driver. I shot them both and left.
I'll figure out the other guy tomorrow.
After I got home, I texted Mori-senpai and Chika. I need to catch them up tomorrow.
.
xXx
.
Author's Note:
I don't think the violence came near the M rating, but I did put the warning up front. The worst I left up to your imagination.
So, that thread is tied off tight. No more threats from Yoshio. YEA!
Figured Yuki couldn't not tell Naoko. She needed someone to talk to about it all.
Hope you liked the last cosplay. Again, it wasn't as funny as I'd hoped. I suck at comedy.
And Kyoya gave her the stocks. How do you think she took that?
.
Next Chapter:
The Spring Ball…the dresses, the romance, the club closing announcement.
One more after that one.
.